Class Notes 4 You

Digital education refers to the use of Digi-tech and digital-media for the purpose of education. It was considered as a new frontier of the IT revolution, whose need was exacerbated as the schools remained shut during COVID induced lockdown. Prominent Digital education initiatives include : 1. SWAYAM prabha- digital TV channels dedicated to curriculum-based education. 2. National Digital Library- academic textbook repository 3. e-Pathshala- for disseminating e-resources 4. Manodarpan Initiative: Psychological counselling for students Positive Role of Digital Education in educational sector : 1. Continuity of learning during the lockdown and school closure days 2. Use of tools like AI, Data Analytics to better monitor learning outcomes 3. Interactive learning solutions via a host of graphical and digital interfaces. 4. Breaking the transmission chain without compromising the education process. 5. Accessibility of best teachers and resources from any corner of the country. Challenges ass...

Customs and Traditions indicate practises of a community or group, having developed over a period of time and bearing socio-religious significance. The unique diversity of India is the reason behind the large number of customs and traditions prevalent in her lands. Without rationality, it often leads to obscurantism in the following ways: 1. Untouchability was a custom which segregated people of lower castes as an exclusive group. 2. Abortion is considered a sin in Christianity irrespective of its need. 3. Female Genital Mutilation in some communities is a horrific tradition based in patriarchy and denies bodily autonomy to women. 4. Superstition dominates daily life and is an indicator of lack of reason. 5. People in many places have been accused of killing widows, elderly women on accusations of witchcraft. 6. Child marriage is a tradition rooted in seeing girls as a familial burden. However, not all customs and traditions lead to obscurantism, especially when applied with a rational...

Regionalism is a sense of expression and identity towards a geographical region. Regionalism is a permanent feature of Indian society as our national identity is only a century old while our regional identity is way older. Rising assertion of cultural identity has been a major cause of regionalism in India: 1. Supremacy of one identity over other: Attacks on people from north east in Delhi, Bangalore etc. 2. Economic factors: Sons of soil movement against migrants in Maharashtra. 3. Separate state demand to protect interest: Bodoland, Gorkhaland. 4. Militant regionalism: Tripura, Nagaland etc. 5. Regionalism coloured with religious doctrines: Khalistan in 1980s. 6. Expression of regional culture: Karnataka state flag controversy. 7. Role of regional parties and elections fought on insider vs outsider. Regionalism isn't always detrimental. It helps in power decentralisation, voicing aspirations etc. However, at its extreme, it is a threat to national integration and security. Govern...

Accelerated Class Inequalities and Poverty in India: 1. The State of working India report 2021 by Azim Premji shows people are moving from formal to informal work. 2. Poverty rates in rural areas have increased by 15% points and in urban areas by 20% points. 3. The conditions are worse when we look into the poverty data by caste, religion. 4. According to the Oxfam Report, India's richest 1% of the population hold 42.5% of national wealth while the bottom 50%, the majority of the population, owns a mere 2.8%.  5. The World Bank assesses that this pandemic will push an extra 88 million to 115 million individuals into outrageous destitution with the complete ascending to around 150 million by 2021 where the new poor would be in nations previously having high neediness rates. The government has launched PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to check rising Inequalities and Poverty. However, undoing the impacts of Covid-19 will certainly not be a short-term proces...

Caste may be defined as a small and named group of persons characterised by endogamy, hereditary membership and a specific style and is usually associated with a more or less distinct ritual status in a hierarchical system based on the concepts of purity and pollution. Lost its relevance in Multi-Cultural Society: 1. Educational facilities were extended to all citizens, irrespective of their caste which has eroded the legitimacy of the caste system. 2. Rise of Inter caste marriages, Inter dining due to Urbanisation and Industrialisation. 3. In the industrial urban sector, the low caste people may hold higher positions. Thus, people belonging to the high castes work under them and accept the supremacy of the lower castes. 4. In the industrial colonies, the residential accommodation is usually so allotted that there is no distinction between high and low caste people. 5. Under the caste system, birth was taken as the basis of social prestige. But today, wealth has replaced birth as the b...

A subcontinent is a part of a continent that is politically and geographically separate from the rest of the continent. India as a Subcontinent: 1. Distinct Landmass: India is often called a subcontinent because it is a distinct landmass, not just a country. While it has many features of a continent, it is not as big as one, so is not considered a continent. 2. Geomorphic Diversification: Geomorphically, India is so diverse that not only do we have the oldest mountain chain i.e., Aravalli but also the youngest mountain chain in the world i.e., Himalayas. India has both the oldest landmass i.e., peninsular plateau as well as the youngest landmass in the world which is the Northern Plateau. 3. Indian Cultural Diversity: This common diversity has grown beyond the borders. Example, almost all the countries in the subcontinent have identical ways of life and religion.  4. Linguistic Diversity: India has multiple races, religions, castes etc. speaking different languages, practicing diff...

Tribal Knowledge is the sum of all the knowledge and capabilities of all the people. It helps them in guiding the relations among human, non-human, and other-than human beings in specific ecosystems. Uniqueness of Tribal Knowledge: 1. Mainstream knowledge is based on research and scientific evidence while preserving the environment, but tribal knowledge is based on religious tenets of ecological awareness and sacred ecology through instructive narratives and dynamic interactions with local environments. 2. The traces of Mainstream knowledge can be found in Books, manuscripts while traces of Tribal knowledge are found in songs, dance etc. Example Sarhul festival to mark the beginning of Spring season. 3. Tribal Knowledge has shown to the world that agriculture can be sustainable without inflicting irreparable damage on the forest. E.g.: Soliga tribe in Karnataka and Tribes in North East India. 4. Mainstream knowledge believes on pesticides to control invasive species while Tribals (e.g....

Gig economy is defined by its focus on workforce participation and income generation via gigs, single projects or tasks for which a worker is hired. Its unique Characteristics of employment relationship is significant for Economic and social empowerment of women. Role of Gig Economy and Women Empowerment. 1. Women can choose the type of work and the hours they dedicate. Thus, avenues for Household women to be economically independent. 2. Employers are free from providing social security and complying with laws like Maternity benefit Act, thus they can recruit women irrespective of her pregnancy period. 3. Women are getting opportunities in areas like Cab driving, which were earlier prohibited for them. 4. Platform-enabled gig employment like selling products on Amazon, Myntra, and Flipkart enables the women to see their traditional products like Pickles, jute bags etc. 5. A boost in use of digital technology and increased acceptance of virtual working for sales and distribution jobs, c...

The pace of Industrialisation and Urbanisation in metro cities amidst the forces of Globalization does not reflect only change in GDP numbers, but has an implication on Social and economic set up of both rural and urban areas and on almost all the sections of society. The growth of IT hubs in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Chennai and Delhi gives us a clear reflection of socioeconomic change after 1990’s. Main Implications on Social economic set up because of IT industries: 1. Change in Family Structure: The nuclear family has become predominant with the increasing urbanization and industrialization. 2. Change in Institution of Marriage: From Endogamous to Inter Caste Marriages. 3. Change in the meaning of Relationship: It is now largely driven by self-interest, and losing the charm of organic solidarity. 4. Change in structure of Caste system: Rise in professionalism, improvement in education has provided employment opportunities and thus is improving conditions of Vulnerable caste. And in...

Population Education as defined by UNESCO is an educational programme which provides for a study of the population situation of the family, community, nation and the world, with the purpose of developing in the students rational and responsible attitudes and behaviour towards that situation. This is important in the case of India which is expected to surpass China by 2026 as per UN World Population Prospect. Objectives of Population Education:  1. Population education aims at assisting the individual to understand the causes and consequences of population phenomena. 2. It enables the individual to understand how a huge population affects the individual and society. 3. It aims at recognizing the causes of demographic phenomena and to enable the people to make changes in order to remove those obstacles for social progress. 4. It enables students to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to understand the concept of population education. 5. It enables the learner to...

It is rightly said that forces of Globalization not only make a borderless world, but a global village too. Any development in any part of the world impacts society and economy at large. One of the newly introduced technologies in the world because of globalization is Cryptocurrency. A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. Impact of Cryptocurrency on Global Society: • Diversion of Youth: The excessive use of the cryptocurrency in illegal narcotics business puts to test our youth and closes the window of the Demographic dividend short open. • Lack of spending on Social Sector: The possibility of Tax evasion and the lack of traceability that defeats the aim of the progressive taxation reduces government expenditure in the social sector. • Inequality in Society: The sudden rise and fall of value of cryp...

Persian literature gained prominence during the Delhi Sultanate primarily during the mediaeval era around 12th AD. The writings of Fariq-i-Firuz Shahi, Akbarnama and many more explored the socio-political conditions of that period. The Persian literature reflects the spirit of the age in the following ways: 1. Political structure of Mediaeval India: a). Ziauddin Barani’s Tahrik-i- Firoz Shahi about Firoz Shah Tughlaq. b). Akbar Nama by Abu Fazl. c). Both described the Political unit at centre, provincial and state level along with the type of administration during Delhi and Mughal dynasties. 2. Social Aspects: Amir Khusro reflected that: a). Brahmins were the dominant sections among the Hindus. b). He also mentions the exploitative nature of the Jizya Tax. c). He reflected the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. 3. Religious Aspect: a). Religious tolerance towards others. b). Important festivals as means of entertainment. c). Tuzuq-i-Jahagiri, Rihala are a few of the important sources. Overall, thes...

India has a rich history of monuments and art forms. From different invasions to the British period, they played a role in our way of life. However, it is the Indian philosophy and tradition that played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and art in India as well.  Some of the aspects are as follows: 1. Varna System: It had a great influence on Indian philosophy and tradition that is also evident in how things got conceived and contributed to the structural growth of cities. 2. Literature: Scriptures like The Bhagavad Gita is one the most influential philosophies that shaped our heritage. It presents these ideas alongside the idea of svadharma. 3. Dance: Indian classical dance celebrates multiple truths embracing diversity and its universal acceptance. E.g.: Tandava Dance of the Nataraja. 4. Music: Carnatic music is considered spiritual and one that can elevate the individual, both intellectually and emotionally.  5. Temple Architecture: The Indian templ...

Palas were the patrons of Mahayana Buddhism who ruled eastern India from Pataliputra between the 8th to 12th century AD. Though the Palas were tolerant towards all the religions, they patronized and played a significant role in the rise of Buddhism.  1. Role of Rulers: Dharmapala and Devapala played an important role in flourishing Buddhism. E.g.: Dharmapala founded the renowned Vikramshila University.  2. Secular Character: Though most of the subjects in the area were Hindus, the Pala rulers followed an approach of religious tolerance. This allowed for a peaceful exchange of ideas which gave rise to the Vajrayana philosophy.  3. Patronisation: Dharmapala patronized Haribhadra, a Buddhist writer, and made him his preceptor. Noted Buddhist scholars include Atisha, Santaraksita, Saraha, Tilopa. 4. Restoration Efforts: Mahipala I ordered construction and repairs of sacred structures at Sarnath, Nalanda, and Bodh Gaya. Devapala also restored and enlarged Vikramshila and Somap...

The Gandhara School of art shows Buddha in the symbolic form, not a human form. It was developed between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE during Kushan rule, of which Gandhara sculpture was an important part, depicting sculpture of Buddha.  The central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art: Greek Influence: 1. Hellenistic features like curly hairs, moustaches on face. 2. Vajrapani protector image. 3. Muscular body. 4. Coins with Greek script. 5. Draperies covering both shoulders. 6. Stucco plastering. Roman influence: 1. Buddha is sometimes presented in Roman motifs like Triton. 2. Buddha of Gandhara sometimes through a wine scroll. 3. Buddha in human form is inspired by Roman tradition. 4. The outer rope of Buddha of Gandhara like Kaya resembles Roman gods. Central Asian Influence: 1. Bluish Schist used in Gandhara Art. 2. Disc shaped halo around the Buddha head. 3. Buddha presented in human form. 4. Kharosthi letters on Buddhist inscriptions in Gandhara....